Last Updated on January 16, 2024 by Lori Pace
You may be eligible for additional benefits if your baby is a newborn or you are ill. Although it is a slow process, it will make your financial life much easier. Remember that once you have earned more than a certain amount, you do not automatically get a portion of these entitlements. If you are still working, don’t forget to budget for them. Here is a complete list of single mother benefits you might be eligible for, depending on your situation!
Parenting And Family Benefits For A Single Mother
The Parenting Payment
The Parenting Payment (Single), which is income support for parents and guardians, helps with the cost of raising children. If you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for this payment. These criteria include:
- If you’re single, and have at least one child under 8 years old, you can take care of them.
- Your income and assets are less than certain amounts.
- You meet the residence requirements
Maximum Parenting Payment (single): $737.10 per week (which also includes the Pension Supplement). Be aware that your situation may dictate that you might need to wait a while before you receive your first income support payment.
The Family Tax Benefit
The Family Tax Benefit, which is a two-part payment, helps to cover the costs of raising children. Each child receives the Family Tax Benefit (FTB Part A). Your family’s individual circumstances will determine the amount you receive. If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible to receive FTB Part A.
- Care for a dependent child aged 0-15 years, 16-19 years old and studying (or granted an exception).
- Provide care for the child at least 35% of all times.
- Meet an income test
FTB Part A is based on your family income, the number of children you have and their age. FTB Part B provides additional assistance to single parents or families with only one income. It may be available to you if your child is dependent and you are responsible for at least 35% of their care.
- Child younger than 16 years old;
- Full-time secondary students until they turn 18 years old.
FTB Part B is determined by the age of your youngest child. It is also based on income tests. You must also meet residency requirements.
The Child Care Benefits For A Single Mother
Child Care Rebate
The Child Care Rebate pays 50% of child care expenses out of pocket for approved child care, up to $7,500 per child. This is in addition to any other child-care assistance. If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible:
- You use a Child Care Benefit-approved child care service
- You are eligible for Child Care Benefit even if your income is too low to qualify;
- You meet the Work, Training, Study, or Test for Child Care Rebate requirements, or you are exempt.
The Child Care Rebate is not income-tested. You will no longer be eligible for any rebates after you have reached the $7,500 annual limit for a child. Your assistance could end depending on how you received your rebate.
The Child Care Benefits
The Child Care Benefit covers the costs of approved and registered care like long, family, or occasional day care and care beyond school hours, vacation care, and pre-school care. You must:
- Use registered or approved child care
- You are responsible for paying child care fees.
- Make sure your child is up to date on immunization.
- Meet the requirements for residence
Approved Childcare
Child Care Benefit is a benefit that allows approved child care providers to reduce child care fees by passing on the Government’s approval. The following are examples of approved child care:
- Long-term care
- Family day care
- Care outside of school hours
- vacation care;
- In-home Care;
- Care should be taken occasionally.
Current care rates for non-school-aged children are $4.17 an hour or $208.50 per Week. The school-age rate is 85% lower than the non-school age rate. Without having to take part in any Work, Training, or Study test activities, you can provide care for up to 24 hours per child per week. You can receive up to 50 hours per child per week if you pass the test or are exempted from it.
Register Child Care
The current registered rate for non-school-aged children in care up to 50 hours per week is $0.696 an hour or $34.80 per week. School-age children pay 85% less than non-school age children.
The School Kids Bonus
The School Kids Bonus is an education aid paid automatically in January and July. You must be the parent or caregiver of a student in primary or secondary school or a young person who receives income support payments. An income test is also required.
- Two installments of $215 each for each child in primary school – a total of $430 per year
- Two installments of $428 each for each secondary school child – a total of $856 per year.
You will be paid a portion of the payment if you share care of your child with someone else. The percentage of Family Tax Benefit that you receive for your child will determine this amount. The School Kids Bonus is being phased down.
Low-Income Supplement Benefits For A Single Mother
Each qualifying person will receive an annual $300 payment. The payment is limited to one per year. If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible to receive the Low Income Supplement.
- Tax requirement
- Income requirement
- Residence and other payment requirements
Crisis Payment
The Crisis Payment is a one-time payment that helps people in extreme or difficult situations. Eligibility is determined by certain criteria. If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible.
- Are in financial distress;
- You must submit your claim within seven days of the event in which you have been forced to leave your home due to extreme circumstances such as domestic violence.
If you’re not a spouse, you can be considered in financial hardship if you have less than the fortnightly equivalent to 2 weeks of the maximum income support payment. The Crisis Payment is a one-off payment equal to one week’s income support at your current rate. The Crisis Payment does NOT include any additional allowances or supplements.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule For A Single Mother
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule offers financial assistance for basic dental services for children between 2 and 17. You must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
- Have a child between 2-17 years old for at least one day in the calendar year.
- Certain government benefits, such as Family Tax Benefits Part A, are available for at least a portion of the calendar year.
- You may be eligible to receive Medicare.
The benefits for basic dental services are limited to $1,000 per child for two consecutive calendar years. If you don’t use your $1,000 benefit within the first year, you may be eligible to use it in the second year. The balance of your benefit will not be carried forward to the next year.
The benefits cover various services, including cleaning, x-rays, and fissure sealing. They are not available for cosmetic or orthodontic work.
